Film processor



July 15, 1947. v, PRATT ETAL 2,424,052

I FILM PROCESSOR Filed Jan. 18, 1945 5 Sheets-Shet 1 FIEJ- IN VENTORS VERNEL/R E. PRA T T EEUR'EE E ERAY H TTORNEYS.

. July 15, 1947. t v. E. PRATT ErAL FILM PROCESSOR 5 Sheets-Shet 2 Filed Jan. 18,- 19 45 INVENTORS. VERNEUR EZPFATT E'EDRE'E E GRAY ATTORNEYS.

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July 15,1947. v. E. PRATT ETAL ESSOR EILM PROC Filed Jan. 18, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 S M m w W.

HTTORNEYS.

July 15, 1947. v. E.IPRATT El'AL 'FILM PROCESSOR Filed Jan.'l8, 1945- 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 4 'INVENTORS. VEFWEUF' 5 PRATT BY EEURG'E EE'RAY HTTORNEKS'.

Patented July 15, 1947 FILM PROCESSOR Verneur E. Pratt and George F. Gray, N orwalk, Conn.

Application January 18, 1945, Serial No. 573,438

Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in film processors, wherein the film to be processed is moved through a series of containers of processing fluids, and is directed more particularly to the elimination of the usual festoons of leading film.

The invention may be applied to the type of film processor described and claimed in our copending application Serial Number 474,316, filed February 1, 1943, now Patent Number 2,401,185, dated May 28, 1946, or it may be applied to the type of processor described and claimed in our co-pending application Serial Number 507,938, filed October 28, 1943.

In the first mentioned application is shown a continuous film processor in Which the film runs in tubes or guides and is propelled therethrough by means of cooperative rollers. The tubes or guides are submerged in tanks containing the proper chemical solutions.

The second mentioned application relates to a closed track guide through which the film is propelled by cooperative rollers. These guides have the proper chemical solutions'circulated therethrough and, therefore, no tanks are required.

In both of the above referred to applications the film passes between the cooperative rollers and is guided along predetermined paths by the guides referred to so that, as the leading end of the film traverses each tube or guide, it is engaged by the neXt set of cooperative rollers and is guided through to the next tube or guide.

The present invention may also be applied to any standard type of motion picture film processor using rollers around which the film flows in its path from one tank of solution on to the succeeding tank. According to this invention the use of sprockets to advance the film through the processor is eliminated and, instead of this, we employ rubber rollers between which the film is pulled. The rollers are so spaced that it is impossible for the film to be actually driven by the rollers. A leader is attached to the front end of the film and this leader is substantially thicker the film and is actually driven by the roller, thereby pulling the film through the processor.

Most continuous film processors of the prior art employ a long leader which is threaded or festooned through the machine. This is usually done by hoisting the mechanism up out of the processing tanks with a block and tackle or the like. and after the leader is threaded or festooned. over all of the rollers, the mechanism is then lowered into the tanks. The exposed film is usually spliced to the leader and then the power is turned on so that the leader is first driven by the rollers and then the film is driven by the rollers. In order to avoid having to rethread the leader over the rollers, the leader may e attached to the end of the exposed film so that, as it passes through the mechanism, it in turn pulls the leader in. Then the film may be cut off from the leader leaving the latter festooned over the rollers and ready to have the neXt exposed film attached thereto.

The new and improved processor described herein eliminates such steps as those described in the above paragraph and it may therefore be termed an automatic self-threading processor.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a processor which will process films whether they have perforations formed therein or not.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a processor adapted not only to handle the average roll length, but also short films which may be no longer than the length of the path defined by the film guides through the processing solution.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art upon a study of the accompanying drawings and the following specification.

Referring to the drawings, which are given by way of illustration:

Figure l is an elevation partly in section of apparatus employing tanks in which the several solutions are contained, and which include guiding means for the film;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 33 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an elevation partly broken away showing one bearing for the lower idler roller shaft and also showing the drain plug for drawing the solution from the tank.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary View showing the relation of the drive roller to the driven roller and showing the end of the thick leader as it enters between and is driven by said rollers;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 except that the thick leader has almost all been driven through the rollers-and showing the film secured to the lower end of the leader;

Figure 7 is similar to Figures 5 and 6 except that in this view the thick leader has passed through the two rollers and the film is between them. Since th spacing between the rollers is substantially greater than the thickness of the film, the film is not driven by the rollers, and by this time the thick leader is being engaged by rollers further on in the series and therefore the film is actually pulled over the large roller, which is a free roller;

Figure 8 is an elevation partly in section of a modification of the arrangement shown in Figure 1 and employing closed conduits through which the film passes and through which the processing fluids are circulated at a high rate of speed;

Figure 9 is a sectional elevation taken along the lines 9-9 of Figure 8;

Figur 10 is a sectional view taken along the line 10-49 of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a plan view of the rollers and driving means connected thereto;

Figure 11 is a detail View showing one method of adjusting the center distance between a given shaft and a fixed shaft;

Figure 12 is a plan View partly in section taken along the line |2--l 2 of Figure 8; and

Figure 13 is a diagrammatic view showing the circulating mechanism, the mixing valve for mixing hot and cold water to a predetermined temperature for the washing bath, and other details of control.

Referring first to Figure 1, a reel carried on a support 2! carries exposed film 22. Attached to the film 22 is a leader 23. The leader 23 is attached to the film 22 at the point 24. A free roller 25 is mounted on a suitable shaft 26. Spaced apart from the shaft 26 is a driven shaft 21 which has a drive roller 28 keyed thereto. The space between the drive roller 23 and the free roller 25 is greater than the thickness of the film 22. The thickness of the leader 23 is greater than the spacing between the rollers 25 and 2 8. Therefore, the drive roller 28 does drive and propel the leader downwardly between the oppositely disposed V-shaped channels 29 and 38. The relation of these V-shaped guides may be seen in Figure 2.

The channels 29 and 39 extend downwardly and are suitably supported in a processing tank 3| by means of brackets 32 and 33. A pair of aligned bearings, one of which is designated by the numeral 34 in Figure 4, rotatably support a shaft 35. Mounted on the shaft 35 is a free roller 35. The roller 36 is tangent to a plane passing through the centers or apexes of the V-shaped channels 29 and 3B, and these channels are beveled at 31 to clear the free roller 36.

Partially embracing the roller 36 is an arcuate channel 38, the edges 39 and 40 of which overlap the ends of the roller 36 as may be seen in Figure 3. Thearcuate channel is suitably supported in the tank 3| by brackets, one of them being designated by the numeral 4|.

A second pair of opposed V-shaped channels 42 and 43 is supported in the tank 3! in such a manner that a plane extending through their apexes is tangent to the opposite edge of the roller 36. These channels are cut away at 44 to clear the roller and are flared at 45 so as to extend beyond the end 46 of the arcuate channel 33.

Adjacent to the tank 3! is a second tank 41,

and a third tank 53 is adjacent to the tank 41.

These tanks may, for convenience, be secured together by means of .crossbars, one of which is shown at l9, secured to the flanged upper ends of the tanks by means of bolts 50. Each tank may be provided with a suitable drain plug, such as that shown at 5! in Figure 4. The tanks 41' and 48 also carry aligned bearings like that shown at 4 34 in Figure 4 for supporting, respectively, the free roller shafts 52 and 53. A free roller 56 is mounted on the shaft 52 and a like free roller 55 is mounted on the shaft 53.

Above the tank and spaced apart from the rollers 25 and 28 is a shaft 56 carrying a free roller 57. To the left of the free roller 51 is a shaft 53 which carries a drive roller 59. The drive roller 58 is spaced apart from the free roller 51 a distance greater than the thickness of the film 22 and less than the thickness of the leader 23.

To the rightof the free roller 51 is a drive shaft Ell which carries a drive roller 6L. The drive roller 6! is spaced apart from the free roller 57 a distance'greater than the thickness of the film 22 and less than the thickness of the leader 23. Laterally spaced apart from the roller 6! is a drive shaft 52 carrying a roller 63. A shaft 64 spaced apart from the shaft 62 carries a free roller 55, and a drive shaft 66 spaced apart from the shaft 64 carries a roller Bl. The spacing between the free roller 65 and the drive rollers 63 and $1 is greater than the thickness of the film 22 and less than the thickness of the leader 23.

Spaced apart from the shaft 66 is a drive shaft 58 which carries a drive roller 69, and spaced apart from the shaft 68 is a shaft Ill which carries a free roller H. The space between is less than the thickness of the film 22. Since all of the drive rollers and free rollers along the tops of the tanks are provided with treads formed of rubber or the like, the rollers 69 and H will propel both the thick leader and the (thinner) film, and will further act as a squeegee for removing excess liquid (water) from the surface of the film.

Referring again to the tank 3|, the V-shaped channels 42 and 43 are supported by brackets 32 and 33 secured to cross-members T2 and 73. The channels 29 and 3B are supported near their lower ends by brackets 32* and 33' secured to cross members 12 and 13 mounted in the tank 3|. The channels '42 and 43 are also supported near their lower ends by brackets 32 and 33 secured respectively to the cross members 12 and 13 An arcuate channel member 14 partially embraces the free roller 51 and is held in spaced relation thereto by supports not shown. The left end of the arcuate channel "M (as seen in Figure l) has'a flare formed thereon.

The tank 47 has opposed V-shaped channels 16 and 1'! supported therein in such a manner that a plane extending through the apexes thereof is substantially tangent to the free roller 5! at the upper end and the free roller 54 at the lower end. The upper ends of these channels are flared to the right and are cut away to clear the free roller 5'! and the drive roller 6!. These channels on their lower ends are beveled to clear the roller 54. v

Spaced apart from the channels 76 and 11 in the tank '4! is a second pair of opposed V-shaped channels 18 and 19 which are duplicates of the channel members 52 and 43, the upper ends of these channels being cut away to clear the drive roller 63 and the free roller 65.

Supported in the tank 48 is a pair of opposed V-shaped channels 89 and 8| which are duplicates of the channels 76 and 11. A plane extending through the apeXes of these channels is substantially tangent to the roller 65 at the upper end and roller 55 at the lower end. In the tank 43, supported in spaced relation to the channels 88 and 8| is a pair of channels 82 and 83 which are identical with the channels 29 and '30 except that they are flared to the left on their lower ends, one of the flares being designated by the numeral 84.

Partially embracing the free roller 54 in the tank 41 is an arcuate channel 85 which is substantially a duplicate of the arcuate channel 38. Like the channel 38, the sides of the channel 85 overlap the ends of the roller 54.

The tank 48 also carries an arcuate channel member 86 which is also a duplicate of the channel 38. All three of these channels are provided with flares such as that shown at,81 on the channel 38, the purposes of which will be presently described.

It will be understood that the arrangement shown in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, is more or less diagrammatic and that suitable supports are provided for the reel shaft 2|, the roller 2| and suitable bearings are provided for the shafts 21, 26, 58, 58, 68, 62, 64, 66, 68 and 10, and suitable means is provided for drivin the shafts carrying the driven rollers 28, 59, GI, 63, 61, and 69 in the directions indicated by the arrows.

Operation The tanks 3| and 31 are filled to the proper levels with processing fluids to eflect the desired results. For example, the tank 3| may contain a developer-fixer, the tank 41 may contain a stopping-bath and the tank 48 may be fitted with water and may be provided with an overflow and connected to a source of supply, so that fresh water is running in all of the time and spent water is overflowing. It is obvious that, if desired, additional tanks may be included in the combination so that the setup could be a first tank containing developer, a second tank containing water or any other suitable stop for the developer, a third tank which may contain a fixing bath and a fourth tank which may be used for washing out the fixer.

A reel 29 of exposed film 22 has a leader 23 cemented thereto a1; 24. The leader 23 is substantially thicker than the film 22, and since the spacing of the rollers 25 and 28 is greater than the thickness of the film and less than the thickness of the leader the end of the leader may be led in between the rollers with the result that the rollers drive the leader. As the end of the leadenmoves downwardly it leaves the opposed channels 29 and 30 and enters the flared end 87 of the arcuate channel 38 and is thereby guided around between the inner surface of the channel 98 and the perimeter of the roller 36. When the end of the leader leaves the right end of the channel 38 it is guided into the opposed channels 42 and 43 by the flared ends 45 and it passes up the opposed channels 42 and 43 and enters between the drive roller 59 and the free roller 57. The leader is of such length that by the time the free end is drivingly engaged between the rollers 59 and 57, the other end which is secured to the film is just leaving the rollers 25 and 28.

As the roller 59 continues to drive the leader 23 upwardly the end encounters and is guided by the arcuate channel 14 toward the drive roller 6| so that the end of the leader passes between the drive roller GI and the free roller 51 and is directed downwardly between the channels 18 and H. As the end of the leader leaves the lower ends of the channels 16 and 17 it enters the space between the arcuate channel 85 and the perimeter of the roller 54 and is guided therearound and upwardly between the channel members 18 and 19. As soon as the rollers 63 and 65 drivingly engage the ends of the leader 23 the opposite 6 end, which is attached to the film 22 is just leaving the rollers 6| and 51. The leader progresses through the machine and is successively driven by the rollers 63, 81 and 69 and thereby advanced through the channels 89, BI and 82, 83.

Obviously, as the leader 23 is advanced through the channels and drive rollers in the manner above described the film 22, which is attached to the trailing end of the leader is pulled over the free rollers 25, 36, 51, 54, 65 and 55 in the order named, and in being pulled over these rollers, it successively passes through and is processed by the fluids in the several tanks.

Any suitable means may be provided for engaging the leader 23 after it leaves the rollers 69 and H and propelling it and the film 22 attached thereto through a dryer, and the leader and fihn leaving the dryer may be wound on a suitable ree From the above description it will be seen that in order to use the device shown and described in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, it is merely necessary to attach a piece of thick leader 23 to the free end of an exposed film 22, then place the reel 20 containing the exposed film on the reel support 2! and guide the leader 23 over the roller 24' and insert the free end of the leader between the rollers 28 and 25 (the mechanism having been started up). The mechanism automatically guides and threads the leader through the series of rollers in the manner described above, and results in pulling the film 22 over those of the rollers which are free, thereby automatically processing and washing the film which may be then led to a dryer. It Will also be noted that the rollers 69 and H in addition to driving the film, also squeegee the washing water from the surfaces thereof.

In Figures 5, 6 and 7 we show the relative positions of the rollers 51 and 59. It will be noted that the free end 23 of the leader 23 has entered between and is driven by these tWo rollers due to the fact that the space between the rollers is less than the thickness of the leader. In Figure 6 the trailing end 23 of the leader, which has the leading end of the film 22 secured thereto, has almost completely passed between the rollers 59 and 51, and in Figure 7 it will be noted that the leader has passed out from between the rollers and that the film 22 passes between the rollers 51 and 59. Since the film is thinner than the space between the rollers, the film is not driven but, instead, is in contact with the roller 5'! which at that time acts as a free roller.

In Figures 8 to 12, inclusive, is shown a modification of the arrangement described above. A supporting Wall 88 carries a reel shaft 89 adapted to support a reel 90 containing exposed film. Back of the wall 88, as may be seen in Figure 11, is a pair of spaced parallel supporting members 9| and 92. A shaft 93 is journalled in a bushing 94 in the support 92 and a bushing 95 in the support 9|. The shaft 93 carries a drive roller 95. A shaft 97 carries enlarged eccentric portions 98 and 99 which are respectively journalled in the supports 92 and 9|. The shaft 91 has a portion (not shown) of reduced diameter upon which is journalled a free roller I80. Extending laterally from the shaft 91 is an arm I9I which is engaged by a screw I82 which extends through a fixed boss I03 on the support 94. By means of the screw I92 the space between the drive roller 96 and the free roller I00 may be adjusted. This space, as

was the case in the embodiment previously describedis greater than the thickness of the film and less than the thickness of the leader.

The shaft '93 has secured thereto a WOrm gear I04 which meshes with a worm carried on the wormshaft I05.

Spaced apart from the set of rollers 96, I is a second set of rollers comprised of a drive roller I06, a. free roller I01 and. a drive roller I08. The free roller I01 is mounted on a shaft I09 which is supported by a bushing H0 in the support '92 and a bushing III in the support 9|. I'he free roller I01 forms a working fit against the shoulder H2. The drive roller I06 is keyed to a shaft H3 which is journalled in bushings H4 and H5.

Referring now to Figure 11 which shows the details of the bushing H4, it will be notedthat the bushing I I4 is rectangular and forms a working fit in an elongated rectangular slot H6; A boss II1 extends outwardly from the support 92 and is threadedly engaged by a cap screw H8. A second boss H9 is also carried on the support 92 and is threadedly engaged by a cap screw I20. The capscrews bear against the bushing H4 and may be adjusted longitudinally in the hole I I6 by backing off on one cap screw and tightening up on the other. When the desired adjustment is obtained, it may be retained by tightening the locknut I2I on the cap screw I I8 and the locknut I22 on the cap screw I20. The bushing H is likewise mounted in a rectangular hole formed in the support 9| and may be adjusted by means of cap screws I I8 and [20 The drive roller I08 is keyed to a shaft I23 which is journalled in rectangular bushings I24 and I25. The bushing I24 is adjustable like the bushing H4 0n the support 92. The bushing 25 is adjustable like the bushing II5 on the support 9|. A worm gear I26 is keyed to the shaft H3 and meshes with a Worm on the Wormshaft I05. A like worm gear I21 is keyed to the shaft I23 and meshes with a worm on the shaft I05. The shaft I05 extends from the reduction gear box I28. A driven shaft I29 extends from the ear box and carries a grooved pulley I30 which may be driven in any suitable manner.

In calibrating the device the drive roller I00 may be adjusted toward or away from the free roller I01 so that the space therebetween is less than the thickness of the film and greater than the thickness of the leader. The drive roller 50$ may be adjusted toward or away from the free roller I01 in the same manner as described for the shaft I I3 so that the space between the roller I01 and I08 is less than the thickness of the film and greater than the thickness of the leader.

Spaced apart from the set of rollers just de-. scribed is a set comprising a drive roller I3I, a free roller 132 and a drive roller I33. The free roller is journalled against a shoulder I34 on a raft I35 mounted in bushings I30 and I31 in the supports 92 and ill respectively. The drive roller I3I is ke ed to a shaft I39 which is mounted in rectangular bushings I39 and I49 adjustably carried in the supports 92 and 9| respec-- tively. A worm gear MI is keyed to the shaft I38 and mesheswith a worm carried on the wormshaft I 42 which extends to the right from the gear reduction box 28. The drive roller I33 is keyed to a shaft 53 mounted in adjustable bushings I44 and I45 and carrying a worm gear I46 which meshes with a worm on the Wormshaft I42. The drive rollers I3I and IE3 may be adjusted toward or away from the free roller I32. It will be noted that in adjusting any of the shafts I I3, I23, I38 and I43, the adjustment is carried out 8 along lines parallel to theaxes of the wormshafts IE5 and I42, and therefore, the pitch relation between'the Worm gears carried by these shafts and the worms with which they mesh is not changed.

Spaced apart from the rollers I3I, I32 and I33 is a set of rollers comprised of a drive roller I41 and a free roller I40. The drive roller I41 is keyed to a shaft I40 which is journalled in bushings ass and 551 mounted in the supports 92 and SI respectively and. has keyed thereto a worm gear I52 which meshes with a worm carried on the wormshaft I42. A shaft I53 carries eccentric portions I54 and G55 mounted in the supports 92 and SI respectively and also has a portion of reduced diameter (not shown) upon which the free roller I48 is journalled. Secured to the shaft 53 is an arm I53 which is engaged by a screw E51 mounted in a stud I58 carried on the support 02. By means of the screw I51 the spacing between the rollers I41 and I40 may be adjusted.

Since these rollers are the last in the series, they are adjusted so that they will drive the film. All of the rollers, both the drive rollers and the free rollers, have rims formed of rubber or the like. For example, referring to Figure 8, it will be noted that the free roller I00 is provided with a rubber ring I00 The drive roller is provided with a rim 90 et cetera.

A U-s'haped conduit I59, the cross section of which may be seen in Figure 10, consists of parallel sides H59 and IEI joined by angular portions I02 and E53 on one side forming an apex I04. Similar sides I55 and I66 join the sides I60 and I0! and meet at an apex I61. The film 22 normally clears the conduit I59 and the likely points of contact with the conduit are on the extreme edges.

One leg of the conduit I59 has flares I08 and W9 formed thereon. These flares are oppositely disposed, I33 being adjacent to the roller I00 and 89 being adjacent to the roller 96.

The other leg of the conduit is similarly flared at H0 and HI.

One leg of the conduit has aligned holes I12 and I13 formed therein and in alignment with these holes in the other leg are formed aligned holes I14 and I15. A hollow casing I16 extends laterally from the wall 88 and has an upstanding flange I11 which is secured to said wall by means of screws !13. Extending vertically within the hollow casing I16 are Webs I10 and I80 (Fig. 12). These webs are generally V-shaped and the forward edges extend toward each other to engage the conduit as will be presently described. For example, the web I19 has forward edges IBI and E82 extending toward eachother and these edges are machined off so that the space therebetween is substantially equal to the thickness of the conduit I59 (this is the distance from the outer face of the surface to the outer face of the sur face IEI, Figure 10). The front wall I83 of the casing I16 has a corresponding slot I84 formed therein and the top and bottom walls of the casing are shaped to accommodate one leg of the conduit I59. The Web I80 is similar to the Web I19 and the walls of the casing are shaped to accommodate the other leg of conduit I59. With the conduit positioned in the apertures in the casing I10 and with the apexes clearing the webs I19 and I00, the conduit is soldered or brazed to the casing to form a fluid-tight joint.

The purpose of the casing I16 is to receive the processing fiuid (which is forced through the conduit by means of a pump to be presently described) as the fiuid is ejected through the openings I12, I13, I14 and I15. In (lo-pending application Serial Number 507,938, pipe fittings are shown connected to the U-shaped conduit, and the present arrangement is a distinct improvement due to the fact that it eliminates the difficulties encountered in using the fittings.

The casing I15 has a hole I85 formed in the bottom wall thereof and this hole is fitted with a bushing I86 to which is attached a short pipe I81, which extends into the open end of a tank I88 secured to the wall 88. Thus, fluid passing from the openings I12 to I15, inclusive, and into the casing I16 flows out through the hole I85 and via the pipe I81, and is delivered to the tank I 88. At the bottom the U-shaped conduit I59 has aligned holes I89 and I90 formed therein. A hollow casing I! has a flange I92 which is secured to the wall 88 by means of screws I93. The casing I9I, as may be seen in Figure 9, has formed therein a lateral web I94 similar to the webs I19 and I80 above described. The casing I9I is slotted inwardly from the front wall in alignment with the web to accommodate the conduit at the bottom of the U. The conduit is positioned in the hollow casing I9I as shown and is soldered or brazed thereto to form a fluid-tight joint. A fitting or pipe I95 has its lower end in communication with the interior of the casing I9I and its upper end is connected to the outlet I96 of a pump I91. The pipe I98 has its lower end in communication with the interior of the tank I88 and its upper end is connected to the inlet I99 of the pump I91. The pump is directly connected to an electric motor 208. When the motor is turned on fluid is drawn from the tank I88 via the pipe I98 to the inlet of thee pump and thence, via the outlet I96 and the pipe I95, fluid is delivered to the hollow casing I9I. The fluid then passes Via the aligned holes I89 and I90 into the U- shaped conduit I59 where it divides, and part of it passes up the left leg, as seen in Figure 8, then outwardly from the conduit via the holes I12 and I13 into the hollow casing I16. Part of the fluid also passes up the right leg and out via the holes I 14 and I15 into the hollow casing I16. The fluid flows from the casing via the pipe I81 and returns to the tank I88.

The fluid entering the conduits via the holes I89 and I90 has substantial velocity, and therefore, it washes off any deposits on the surface of the film due to the processing fluid. This is particularly important in cases where fixer-developers are used in our apparatus. The action of the fixer-developer results in a deposit on the surface of the emulsion, which deposit shields the emulsion from free action by the solution. However, the velocity of the fluid up both legs of the conduit washes ofi the coating or deposit, thereby leaving the surface of the emulsion open to the continued action of the fixer-developer.

The hollow casing I9I is provided with a suitabl drain cock 20I by means of which the entire system may be drained into a container or trough 202 in the bottom of the machine.

A second U-shaped conduit 159* is identical with the conduit I59 and has associated therewith a hollow casing I16 and a discharge pipe I81 discharging into a tank I 88 At the bottom of the U is a hollow casing I9I like the hollow casing I9I. A pump I91 similar to the pump I91 is provided for drawing liquid from the tank I83 and delivering it to the hollow casing I9I A third U-shaped conduit I59 is identical with the conduit I59 and has associated therewith a 10 h'ollow casing I16 and a discharge pipe I81 discharging into a tank I88.

At the bottom of th U is a hollow casing I9I like the hollow casing I9I. A pipe 293 has one end connected to the hollow casing I9I (see also Figure 13) and the other end of this pipe is connected to a solenoid valve 204 which is in turn connected through a mixing valve 205 in": mixing hot and cold water together to deliver water at a predetermined temperature. A pipe 206 leads from the mixing valv to a source of cold water under pressure and a pipe 201 is connected to the miznng valve 205 and leads to a source of hot water under pressure.

The mixing valve 205 is provided with a thermostatic control 208 which automatically controls the temperature of the water delivered by the pipe 203.

Th valve 204 includes a solenoid 209 which is connected via a pair of wires 2I0 and a switch 2 to a source of current 2I2.

The switch 2| I, when turned (on, supplies energy to both the motor 280 and the motor 200 and to the solenoid 209 on the valve 204. Thus, when the machine is turned on, the pump I91 driven by the motor 280 circulates fluid in the U-shaped conduit I59, the pump I91 driven by the motor 200 circulates fluid in the U-shaped conduit I59 and the solenoid valve 204 is opened and delivers warm water to the U-shaped conduit I59 It has been described above that the processing fluid circulated through the U-shaped conduits I59 and I59 returns to the pumps and is recirculated. However, the washing water which is delivered via the pipe 203 to the U-shaped conduit I59 overflows into the hollow casing I16 passes down the pipe I81 into the tank H38 and thence passes to the sewer or drain via a pipe 2I3, the upper end of which is connected to the bottom of the tank I88 From the above description it will be clearly understood that the reel 90 of exposed film 2M may be positioned on the stud 89, said film having had a thick leader 2I5 secured to its outer end, and the end of the leader may be inserted between the rollers96 and I00, and this leader will be driven by the rollers until the latter encounter the film. Since the space between the rollers 96 and I00 is greater than the thickness of the film, the latter will not be driven by the rollers. However, by the time the end of the film encounters the rollers 96 and I00, the end of the leader is between and engaged by the rollers I06 and I01, with the result that the rollers I06 and I61 drive the leader and pull the film through the U-shaped conduit I59.

The leader 2I5, as it passes between the rollers I06 and I91, is deflected by the larcuate channel member 1 and is guided between the rollers I91 and I88 and thence downwardly in the left leg of the conduit I59 When the attached end of the leader 2I5 passes out from between the rollers I86 and I 01 the film is pulled thereby over the roller I01, due to the fact that the space between th roller I06 and the roller I01 is greater than the thickness of the film. As the leader passes around the U-shaped conduit I59 and is engaged by the rollers I3I and I32, its attached end passes out from between the rollers I01 and I08, and therefore the roller I01, which is a free roller, acts as a pulley or roller over which the film is pulled.

The leading, or free, end of the leader 2I5 is guided by a second arcuate channel member 14 l l and passes between the roller I32 and the roller I33 and thence down the leftleg of the conduit 59 As the leader passes up the right leg of the conduit, it is engaged by rollers I41 and I48.

As was pointed out hereinbefore, the spacing between the rollers I 5! and I48 is less than the thickness of the film, and since these rollers are provided with rims HI! and Hi8 of rubber or other yieldable material, they are able to effectively propel both the thick leader and the thinner film, and it has also been pointed out that these rollers squeegee the washing water, or Whatever fluid they encounter on the film, as it leaves the U-shaped conduit I59, and they drive not only the leader but the entire length of the film and thereby pull the same over the series of rollers 86, id? and I32; The film, after the same has been processed and squeegeed as aforesaid, is led to a suitable dryer which forms no part of the present invention.

Referring again to Figure 13, applicants provide a drain pan or trough 202 in the bottom of the machine. This drain pan or trough is provided for catching any fluids which spill or which are dumped from the system. Applicants also provide a dirigi'ble nozzle 2; which is connected bymeans of aflexible hose 2|! to the pipe 203. The nozzle may have a plunger valve 2l8 so that the operator may turn the spray nozzle off or on at will for washing down the interior of the machine or flushing out and draining the several tanks and conduits in the machine.

Another important use of the nozzle H6 is in connection with mixing the processing solutions.

For example, the powdered, pulverized and/or liquid chemicals may be placed in the bottom of the proper tank I88, then the operator may, by means of the nozzle 2H3, fill the tank until the liquid level reaches the line indicated by the numeral 219, and thereby add the proper amount of water for the charge of chemicals. The charge of chemicals may be proportioned so that one charge'willcompletely process a roll of film, following which the operator may, by means of the draincock 2-01, empty the tank of solution. This is preferably done with the pumps operating so that when the system is drained additional water may be added to the tanks, and this will be pumped through the pump and out by the drain cocksand thereby flush each section of the machine.-

The drain pan has a sump 220- formed therein preferably adjacent to one end thereof. A pump 22| has its inlet connected to one end of a pipe 222, the other end of which extends into the sump. The outlet of the pump is connected to a pipe 223 which leads to the sewer. The pump 22! is directly connected to a motor 224, and this motor is connected via switch 225 to the source 2| 2, so that any time it is desired to remove fluid from the drain pan 202, it is only necessary to turn the switch 225 and set the pump 22! into operation.

The pulley l3!) on the gear reduction I23 is connected-via a belt 226 to a pulley 221 which is secured to the shaft of a driving motor 228. The driving motor 228 is connected via a pair of wires 229 to the wires 2 H) so that the switch 2| I may, in addition to controlling the solenoid 269 and the motors-driving the pumps I97, I91 also effect the driving ofthe series of driving rollers driven by the worm shafts I05 and M2.

Although we have herein shown and described,

two embodiments of our inventive concept, it is obvious that many changes inthe: arrangement 12 herein shown and described may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:

1. In devices for processing film wherein said film is passed over a series ofdrive and free rollers with guiding means associated therewith, the method of propelling said film over said rollers Wl'iich'consists of attaching a leader to the end of said film, said leader being substantially'thicker than the film, adjusting said rollers relative to each other so that the spacing between the drive rollers and the freerollers ls greater than the thickness of the film and less than the thick= ness of the leader, and inserting the free end' of the leader between the first pair of rollersinsaid series, and actuatingsaid' drive rollers to effect the driving of said leader andthe pulling of said film over said free rollers.

2.'In devices for processing film, the method of propelling the film therethrough which consists of attaching a leader to the end of the film, said leader being substantially thicker than the film, and inserting the free end of said leader between a first pair of cooperating drive and free rollers, the space between said rollers having been previously adjusted to a' distance greater than the thickness of the film and less than the thickness oi the leader, actuating said drive rollers to effect the driving of said leader and consequently the pulling of said film over the free rollers of said series.

3. In a device for processing film to which a leader thicker than said film is attached, a series of free rollers flanked by drive rollers, said drive rollers being spaced from said free rollers a predetermined distance, said predetermined distance being greater than the thickness of the film and less than the thickness of a leader which is attached to the film and inserted between a cooperative drive and free roller in said series, and means for driving said drive rollers thereby causing said leader to be driven by said cooperative rollers and the film to be pulled over the free rollers Without contacting said drive rollers.

4. In a device for processing. film, a series of free rollers flanked by drive rollers, said rollers being disposed in several groups, a second series of free rollers spaced apart from said groups and lying on planes extending between said groups,

film guide means disposed between andsubstantially tangent to the peripheries of the free rollers in both said series, arcuate guide means associated with all of the free rollers in said second series and at least some of the free rollers in said first series, means for setting said drive rollers apart from said free rollers of said first series a distance greater than the thickness of the film and less than the thickness of a thick leader which is attachedto the' film, and-means for driving said drive rollers whereby said leader may be inserted between and driven by a cooperative drive and free roller in said series, be guided around a roller in said second series and up said guide means to enter between a second cooperative drive and free roller, thereby pulling said film over both said last mentoned free rollers without contacting said drive rollers.

5. In a device for processing film, an array comprised of free rollers spaced apart from each other laterally and a free roller spaced apart-vertically from and having its axis lying on a plane passing between said first mentioned rollers, a drive roller associated with each of saidfirs't rollers and having theirperipheral faces spaced apart therefrom a predetermined distance, film guide means tangent to said first and said second rollers and arcuate guide meansextending from said first film guide means and about said second rollers, and means for driving said drive rollers whereby the end of a leader secured to a film to be processed, said leader being thicker than said predetermined distance, may be inserted between one of said first free rollers and its cooperative drive roller, driven around said film guide means and may be drivingly engaged by the other of said first free rollers and its cooperative drive roller and said film will be pulled over said free rollers by said leader.

6. A method of propelling film through a series of pairs of rollers, each pair comprising a driving and a free roller, which consists of securing a' leader to said film, said leader being substantially thicker than the film, spacing each pair of rollers relative to each other a distance greater than the thickness of said film and less than the thickness of said leader, and inserting the end of said leader between at least one pair of rollers in said series thereby causing said last rollers to drive said leader and consequently pull said film over the surfaces of at least some of said free rollers without contact with said driving rollers.

7. In film processing apparatus employing a cooperative drive and free roller, a leader substantially thicker than and attached to said film, the method of causing said rollers to distinguish between the leade and the film and only drive said leader, which consists of spacing the active and cooperative surfaces of said rollers a distance apart greater than the thickness of said film and less than the thickness of said leader, and inserting the end of said leader between said surfaces, thereby causing the leader only to be driven.

8. In apparatus for processing film having a substantially thicker leader of a predetermined length attached thereto, a first set of cooperative drive and free rollers, a second set of cooperative drive and free rollers spaced apart from said first set, the spacing between adjacent cooperative surfaces of said sets of rollers being greater than the thickness of said film and less than the thickness of said leader, whereby said leader only is adapted to be driven by said sets and said film is thereby pulled over the free rollers without contact with said drive rollers, and guide means for said leader and film between said first and said second sets of rollers, the length of said leader being such that as its leading end enters between the rollers in said second set its trailing end is leaving the rollers in said first set.

9. The invention according to claim 8 in which said guide means includes an additional free roller with a set of opposed parallel vertical V- shaped guides between it and said first sets of rollers, and an arcuate guide slightly spaced apart from the perimeter of at least a portion of said last mentioned free roller for guiding film from said set to a succeeding set of guides, said uide means and said last mentioned free roller being submerged at a fixed level in a tank of liquid employed in processing said film.

10. The invention according to claim 8 in Which said guide means includes an additional free roller with a set of vertical opposed V-shaped guides between it and said first sets of rollers, and an arcuate guide slightly spaced apart from the perimeter of at least a portion of said last mentioned free roller, said guide means and said last mentioned free roller being submerged in a '14 tank of liquid employed in processing said film, said last mentioned free roller being journalled on a shaft in bearing fixed in the lower portion of said tank and said guide means being rigidly supported in said tank.

11. The invention according to claim 8 characterized by the fact that said guide means is continuous between said first and .said second sets of drive and free rollers and forms a tank for containing liquid employed in processing said film, said liquid being forced into the same at an intermediate point thereof.

12. In film processing apparatus, a system of rollers for conveying the film therethrough which includes driving and free rollers so positioned in fixed relation with respect to each other as to mutually contact and drive only a thick leader attached to the film, thereby pulling said film, which is thinner along over said free rollers.

13. In film processing apparatus for processing film to which a leader substantially thicker than the film is attached, a system of rollers for conveying the film therethrough which includes driving and free rollers and means to drive the former, the spacing between the adjacent surfaces of said driving rollers and said free rollers being less than the thickness of said leader and greater than the thickness of said film.

14. In self threading film processing apparatus for processing film to which a short leader substantially thicker than the film is attached, a system of rollers for conveying the film therethrough which includes cooperative driving and free rollers and means to drive the former, other free rollers spaced apart from said first mentioned rollers with guide means therebetween, other guide means at least partially embracing said last free rollers, the spacing between the adjacent surfaces of said driving rollers and said first mentioned free rollers being less than the thickness of said leader and greater than the thickness of said film, whereby when said leader is inserted between the first drive and free roller in the system it will be driven thereby, guided around one of said other free rollers and thence to a second cooperating drive and free roller, the process repeating as the leader advances through the apparatus, thereby pulling the film over the free rollers only.

15. In a device for processing film a series of free rollers flanked by drive rollers, said rollers being disposed in several groups and all said rollers being provided with rims formed of rubber or the like, film guide means defining paths between the free rollers in said groups, other arcuate film guide means individual to the free rollers in each group, the faces of said drive rollers, except the last one in the series, being spaced apart from its associated free roller a distance greater than the thickness of the film and a distance less than the thickness of a thick leader secured to said film, said last drive roller being spaced apart from its associated free roller a distance less than the thickness of the film, whereby said leader may be inserted between a drive roller and the free roller in the first of said groups to automatically thread the film through the array of rollers and guides, and when said leader passes from between said last drive roller and its associated free roller, the latter cooperate to drive the film and pull the same over all the other free rollers in said series.

VERNEUR E. PRATT. GEORGE F. GRAY.

(References on following page) REFERENCES CITED The following referencesare of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Ingmar-1 1 Feb. 12, 1935 Douden Mar. 22,1938 Fullerton Feb. 22, 1944 10 Thompson Nov. 9, 1909 Cobb 1- June 16, 1931 Elmen'dorf -1; Feb. 16, 1 926 Avenson -1=-; May 22, 1928 N'mriloer Number Germany Mar, 24, 1934 

